New member - 4.8is Le Mans

[electricalserv x5]

Originally Posted by 4.8iS Le Mans_NZ

Transmission performs much better from cold now - as demonstrated this morning - so I'm happy about that.
The car is now at a professional detailing shop for a 'Stage 3' clean and polish - will be interesting to see how much better it looks when that's all done.

Good to hear 4.8is brother, sounds like You are into maintenance on the car. keep us updated and if You need advice.

[four.8is]

Nice sport seats. The only thing I like more about my comfort seats is all the adjustments for the back...really keeps me going on long trips.
But I think I'd give that up for some nice looking sport seats ....I'm talking like they're so easy to find....

[4.8iS Le Mans_NZ]

Originally Posted by four.8is

Nice sport seats. The only thing I like more about my comfort seats is all the adjustments for the back...really keeps me going on long trips.
But I think I'd give that up for some nice looking sport seats ....I'm talking like they're so easy to find....

Thanks, they do look the business, BUT...after driving the X5 on a long trip recently, I have to say that personally I'd prefer to have the comfort seats.....these sports seats are just not up to the task for long distance driving in this car.
I'm a person of relatively slight build, so I can't imagine how these seats can adequately support much heavier people, without experiencing considerable discomfort.
I've had three E39 wagons, two non-M-Sport with comfort seats but 18-inch wheels, and one M-Sport with the factory sport seats and 17-inch wheels.
The latter seat was almost unbearable after a couple of hours driving, while the former seats were so good that, after a four-hour trip, you felt almost rested, rather than sore and weary.
I'd also attribute the discomfort I've experienced to the stiffer sports suspension and harsher ride of both the 4.8is and the M-sport E39 Touring.
I'm guessing they wouldn't be so bad on a car with standard suspension settings.

I'd be interested to hear other X-drivers' experience and opinions on the sports seats.

[four.8is]

Hey we both want each other's seats. Let's swap lol.

[4.8iS Le Mans_NZ]

But for the wide, blue Pacific Ocean between us, I'd seriously consider it!
I might try and find some good used comfort seats in the same colour, but keep the original sports seats, in case I ever sell it or decide to revert to factory spec.

[squidzilla]

I have sport seats in the 4.6is, X5 5mt, 330xi, and 545i 6mt. I actually prefer them and I might not have an issue with them being 5'7 and 160lbs.

[crystalworks]

I like both versions of the seats... just prefer the way the sports look and the added thigh support. I am on the hunt for a set of nice sports now. Will probably have to buy a whole X5 to get them, but we'll see.

I do really like the back adjustability on the comforts though. But I've done 24hr+ road trips on both versions of the seats and had no real issues other than the usual stiffness that occurs from being in the same position for so long.

[4.8iS Le Mans_NZ]

Further to the transmission performance after servicing....it still takes a long time - 3 or 4 seconds - to engage reverse gear after selecting (trans hot or cold).
Also, the passenger door mirror seems to have a mind of its own when reverse gear is selected - sometimes dipping properly, but other times fluctuating between dipped and normal position.
I suspect that maybe the reverse gear selector switch is bad?

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by 4.8iS Le Mans_NZ

Further to the transmission performance after servicing....it still takes a long time - 3 or 4 seconds - to engage reverse gear after selecting (trans hot or cold).
Also, the passenger door mirror seems to have a mind of its own when reverse gear is selected - sometimes dipping properly, but other times fluctuating between dipped and normal position.
I suspect that maybe the reverse gear selector switch is bad?

Trans - from what I've gathered from my time here your solenoid in the valve body is a likely suspect. My 05 X5 had the delay going into reverse but the mirror dip and reverse lights came on perfectly as they should before the trans would engage. Do you also have the hard downshift from 2nd to 1st when doing a rolling stop?

Mirror - more likely that your dip switch sensors in the mirror need to be cleaned. Mine was doing exactly what you described before disassembly and cleaning. See my 4.8is maintenance log for a link to the DIY thread on here.

See what others think, but I have not heard of the selector switch really going bad from my time on here.

[4.8iS Le Mans_NZ]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Do you also have the hard downshift from 2nd to 1st when doing a rolling stop?

Sorry I didn't answer this in previous post - I do sometimes get the 'slam-dunk' downshift, but not always.
Also get some 'hunting' between ratios during steady speed city driving (approx. 35 mph).
But I seem to remember these were common complaints about the 4.8is, in some of first published road-test articles on these cars back in '03 & '04.